What would you recommend me?

Well, first off, I'm new here. So, I'd like to say hi.

I've always wanted to grow up and be able to do cool things with the computer, and one of them is games.I may be new...but im willing to try a lot of new things, and i won't give up on this.

I know that I'm going to learn C++, and i've started my book "learning C++ in 21 days" by Jesse Liberty and i like it so far. Later, i hope to move on to another primer, and go from there. But, I've just been wondering if any of you guys could give me some info, or some reccomendations that they have.

I'd like some of your recommendations on the following:
-a good C++ book that i could read next
-what should i learn after C++? DirectX, using an animation program? or learning about game engines?
-Is there some good sites that you've been to, that could help me along me way of programming?
-anything extra that you'd like to tell a beginner who doesn't really know what a game engine/animator/and other tools are?
-any other books that would let me learn pure game programming?

I hope I don't overwelm any of you guys, but I'd be grateful if you could help me out, by recommending some sites that you found useful, and other things. I'm only 13, so i have plenty of time to learn things, although i feel a little bit "behind" a lot of people, since i've seen some of these games that you guys have made.

So, if you have any recommendations for me, feel free to post them. Thank you

For C++ books, I would suggest you read this thread:
http://cboard.cprogramming.com/showthread.php?t=74078

As for continuing after C++, the choice is ultimately yours. If you're interested in AI and graphics, learn OpenGL or DirectX. If you're interested in GUI design, pursue OS programming. For starting off, you don't really need to worry about extra tools. All you need is a good text editor, which is often built into your IDE, and you need a compiler. That's it.

CProgramming also has some good C++ tutorials:
http://www.cprogramming.com/tutorial.html

ah...thank you ^_^

I've looked around at this site, and it seems like the tutorials are really good...lol

oh, and btw, whats gui design and OS programming? I'm new to all this >_>

(for books check the sticky thread on the c++ forum.)

A few advises:

- Forget about graphics, for now. Concentrate on learning the programming language first. Try to be as good as you can with console based programs. When you feel comfortable enough you will naturally move on to graphics and/or GUI programming. You will also have a comprehensive knowledge of the libraries involved, what to choose and whatnot. This will happen because you will be involved (hopefully) in forums like these where you start reading threads by more davanced users that will slowly put all the pieces of the C++ puzzle together.

- Be patient. Takes a couple of years to be proficient in C++ to the point of writing code without having to look at reference material all the time and to fully understand all the aspects of the standard C++. (Or so they say. I'm on this phase). It then takes a couple more to master it. During which you will probably already dirtying your hands in GUI and Graphics programming.

- On the first stages do not distract yourself by trying to make full programs. Grab one of the two books most people suggest (Addison Wesley's C++ Primer or Accelerated C++) and slowly go by them page by page. Your focus at this earlier stage is to understand the programming language. Not to code a fully functional program. This, not everyone agrees. However, I advise it because it's quiet common to try and code a simple word game for instance... and then realize you will have to learn something that is on page 167 when you are just only on page 60. Voila! You are distracting yourself from the path the book wants you to take.

- Do the book twice! Not once. Twice. And do it slowly. For every piece you learn code something around it. If the book just taught you about the switch statement, do a switch statement. Even if you think you got it, do it the same. Purposedly introduce errors in your code afterwards. Try to understand the error messages the compiler gives you. Remember them for later. If the book suggests you not to do something, do it! Look at the error message. Remember it. If there is no error message but instead the program runs some way it was not supposed to, try to undertand from the book text why it happens so.

- If programming for Windows choose as your editor one of Dev-C++, Code::Blocks or Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Express Edition. They are all free and come already packed with the compiler and linker. MinGW for the first two and Microsoft's own for the latter.

thank you. but now i've got 2 more questions >_> =(

what courses should i take in high school? and after my 3rd primer..and after i know the basics of C++, should i get an advanded C++ book, or just go straight to learning game programming? I'm sorry to ask so many questions, but im just curious =[

> what courses should i take in high school?
My high school taught QBASIC, and then after that there was Advanced Programming, which taught something else. I didn't take the course. Take whatever your school offers, but you'll definitely have more options in college.

> should i get an advanded C++ book, or just go straight to learning game programming?
Probably. You will need a fair amount of experience before tackling a game project alone, otherwise it will be a huge headache for you and anyone else who tries to edit what you make. I would focus on learning at your own pace and doing what you've been told. Cross that bridge when you come to it.

> what courses should i take in high school?

Obviously, if your school offers computer science/programming classes, those couldn't hurt (too much--there is a chance they could teach nonstandard or poor programming practices, but if you read these boards you'll find out about that).

For game programming especially, you'll want to take as much math as you can, though you probably wont learn much that is directly useful for game/graphics programming, you'll need a good foundation.